I am interested in getting into cat adjusting. A friend of mine works for Pilot and is in Houston right now, but Pilot says they aren't hiring anymore. My friend tells me though, there are a bunch of fools - not necessarily with just Pilot, but any of the companies out there right now - out in the field who should not even be there. He says they just needed faces in the field so they take most anyone with a pulse. Is this true?

I was a real estate appraiser in Florida with many training courses and real life experience with spotting damage and inspecting property. Then, taking my data and compiling my reports. I feel I would transition perfectly into this field, but I'm not sure where to get started.

Is this true that there are tons of inexperienced people out there and that there is a lot of turnover? Any help would be appreciated. I am 29, very computer literate, I have a lot of experience in construction, I own my own company that consults with people who build their own home, I have no problem working hard and getting the job done right. I live in Atlanta, so I am centrally located in the Southeast.  

there is a 66% turnover rate in adjusting from a multitude of factors to include stress, learning curves, can't handle being away from home, some people don't grasp the concept of adjusting, some people are afraid to get up on roofs, some are just afraid of heights, some can't handle being on the road, some can't handle the policyholders, some can't handle the long hours, and of course, some can't handle a mountain load of paperwork.

So yeah high turnover rate is rampant. 1 in 3 adjusters makes it. my advice, find an adjuster who needs an assistant, or is willing to take you under his wing, and show you the ropes, and how to handle a claim from the first phone contact, to the initial inspection, scope, and investigation of the claim, to the paperwork processing, and administrative workflow process, or the chances are you won't make it very far.

Pilot is a good company, I have a friend that works for Pilot, and he too is in Houston, he's making good money.

Other companies to consider

Worley
Eberls
EA Renfroe
Southwest Claims

be prepared to put in 6, 14-16 hour days, with no down time, no relax time, you'll have about enough time to do your laundry, and make phone calls on Sundays to policyholders. It's brutal work if you can handle it. Not physically demanding, but it is mentally demanding, and can be very overwhelming if you're inexperienced.